Method of producing a detergent



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, of washing or Patented Jan. 23, 1945 Qkoummr METHOD OF PRODUCING A DETERGENT COMPOSITION John J. Spiegler, Newark, N. J.

No Drawing. Application September 3, 1942, Serial No. 457,186

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a process of manufacturing a cleansing, washing or similar agent containing persilicates and more particularly perbor-silicates for treating textile and other materials, and further concerns products derived from such process.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a complex compound or agent of the aforementioned type, which may be used either alone or admixed with soaps, soap substitutes, solvents or any other ingredients for improving washing, bleaching and other properties of the said product.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a product of the above nature which is capable of giving off oxygen in a relatively slow, but very effective manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a detergent material for scouring, washing, and bleaching textiles, wounds and the like in a very simple, eflicient and economical way.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a detergent compound material including an ingredient for retarding liberation or yield of oxygen out of said compound material, whereby the length of time during which oxygen may become effective and the concentration of liberated oxygen may be regulated.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a product for washing, bleaching or similar purposes, which has disinfecting, antiseptic and other desirable properties, which does not attack delicate textile material and protects the latter despite profuse oxygen treatment.

Yet, another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a product, the in gredients of which contributing to the softness bath liquid and bringing about the result that a relatively small amount of soap may be employed for washing or like operations.

Still another object of this invention is to produce an oxygen liberating compound material which fully but very slowly dissolves in either cold, warm or boiling water.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a complex compound of the herein disclosed nature, the steps of the process being relatively simple and the product resulting therefrom not requiring full dehydration or the aid of any stabilizers.

Other objects, not specifically set out above, will become apparent hereinafter in connection with one of many possible examples and with ill the further description of the invention. For better understanding of the invention I shall now describe by way of example, how the process according to the invention may be carried out.

Sodium perbor-silicate according to the invention containing about 5% to 6% or even higher percentages of active oxygen may be obtained in the following manner:

About 6 parts by weight of sodium hydroxide (38 Baum),

About 22 parts by weight of sodium silicate (36 Baum) and About 28 arts by weight of bgragg may be thoroughly mixed together in a porcelain or metallic bowl and then are added About 22 parts by weight of sodium silicate (36 Baum);

About 22 parts by weight of hydrogen peroxide (30% by weight concentration) being poured into said mixture while stirring the same very fast. After a short while the mass thus obtained becomes gelatinous and the content is discharged upon a clean surface. After the mass has dried by exposing the same to the atmosphere for several days or subjecting the same to the influence of a dryer at low temperature (approximately to C.), the mass may be finely ground or comminuted in any other way.

It can thus been seen that according to this invention the washing and cleaning agent is produced by preparing a mixture of sodium hydroxide (38 .B.), sodium silicate (36 Be.) and borax, wherein the weight of the sodium hydroxide and of the sodium silicate together equal approximately the weight of the borax, the sodium hydroxide forming approximately one fourth of the sodium silicate, adding hydrogen peroxide (30% by weight concentration) and sodium silicate (36 B.), each in amounts substantially equal to the amount of sodium silicate employed in the aforesaid mixture, stirring the resultant mass until the same becomes gelatinous, permitting the same to dry, and finely grinding the dried resultant mass.

According to the example given, sodium hydroxide solution is mixed with sodium silicate solution so that the proportion of such mixture to borax to be added thereto will be approximately 1:1. Thereafter, an addition of sodium silicate solution and hydrogen peroxide solution in proportion 1:1 is poured into the aforesaid mixture,

whereby the amount 01 sodium silicate employed in said addition is about equal to the amount of sodium silicate employed in the aforesaid mixture; thereby apparently a complex compound is provided resulting from borax, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide in the presence of sodium silicate.

While it is commonly known to produce sodium perborate by combining borax and hydrogen peroxide in alkaline solution and thus obtain sodium perborate by crystallizing the mixture at a low temperature, I replace the alkali (sodiumhydroxide) partly by sodium silicate, which decomposes whereby said complex compound containing sodium perborate and silicon dioxide is instantly obtained without cooling.

The resultant mass may be mixed with powdered soap, mixture of powdered soap and soda, or with any substitutes thereof, and provides a water soluble product.

Although dry mixtures containing perborates lose in general their active oxygen rapidly, mixtures of the product made in accordance with the invention substantially retain the oxygen content. If perborate is dissolved in water, either cold. hot, or boiling water. it gives ofi its oxygen very rapidly, the product of this invention, however, when in contact with water liberating its oxygen very slowly, more equally and uniformly.

It will be apparent from the above that bleaching and disinfecting actions will be performed in a more uniform and efficient manner, silicate in a way influencing the length of time during which oxygen may become effective and regulating concentrations of oxygen to be liberated.

The product thus obtained may be used for washing, bleaching or similar purposes, has disinfecting and antiseptic properties and does not attack delicate textile material.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than that herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. The process of producing a washing and cleaning agent which consists in mixing approximately six parts by weight of sodium hydroxide (38 B.), about twenty-two parts by weight of sodium silicate (36 B.) and about twenty-eight parts by weight of borax, adding about twentytwo parts by weight of hydrogen peroxide of 30% by weight concentration, and about twenty-two parts by weight of sodium silicate (36 B.) thereto, stirring the mixture until it becomes gelatinous, pouring the resultant mass onto a surface. and permitting said mass to dry.

2. The process of producing a washing and cleaning agent which consists in preparing a mixture of sodium hydroxide (38 B.), sodium silicate (36 B.) and borax, wherein the weight of the sodium hydroxide and of the sodium silicate together equal approximately the weight of the borax, the sodium hydroxide forming approximately one fourth of the sodium silicate, adding hydrogen peroxide (30% by weight concentration) and sodium silicate (36 B.), each in amounts substantially equal to the amount of sodium silicate employed in the aforesaid mixture, stirring the resultant mass until the same becomes gelatinous, permitting the same to dry, and finely grinding the dried resultant mass.

JOHN J. SPIEGLER. 

